Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Snow in July?

I did Whitney last year in May and there was still snow from trail camp to the summit. I used crampons and an axe up the chute above Trail Camp. With this year's snow dump, does anyone think there will be much left on the 4th of July? Im not too sure how long snow stays during a normal year. Thanks

There is no way to answer that until we see 1) how much more snow we get this year and 2) how warm it gets and how much it rains this spring/early summer. I have climbed on snow during early July many times.

All I can say is there is a lot more snow at Whitney Portal than there was the previous 3 Mid-March's and there is no signs of spring at 8,360' as of last weekend.

If I had to guess it would be you will be using ice axe and crampons on 7/4/05.

My friend and I went last year on the July 4th weekend. There was a lot of concern thru June regarding snow and ice. When we went for an early dinner the evening before our one day hike, the mountain was covered with dark ominous clouds. At midnight though, they were goneshowing the bright, clear full moon we expected.

On the trail the first sign of old snow/ice was near Trail Camp. At 5am sunrise heading up the switchbacks it was near single digits. The small streams flowing over the lower switchbacks were frozen, and the cables midway had old snow and ice. This was all maneagable with regular shoes and caution. COming back down, there was no ice and the snow had melted even more.

At the top of Trail Crest there were signs of the snow from the evening before, but it melted away very fast in the wind and sun.

The largest patch, or snowfield was along the back rise of Whitney. Maybe 50 yards, well worn, but still frozen in the morning, causing some to carefully walk through it.

Otherwise there was no snow/ice along the trail and it was pleasant while the sun was out. Very cold in the morning.

In the valley it was in the 80's nd 90's the preceeding week, and very warm on our return in the afternoon.

But that was last year......

The last 6 years the snow pack has been less then average. Even then there were some snowfields high on the mountain with a well worn walking path into late June.

I was up on the trail in late May back in the last heavy snow year. There was snow all the way down to about 9500 feet that year in late May, which persisted into early July.

I think you should plan on some snow above trail camp up to trail crest. There will also be a large snowfield close to the summit which you will need to cross. There should be a well worn path, icy in the morning and evening but warm and slushy during the day.

Cetainly a warming sunny trend or continued snow could change how much snow will be left over by then.

I would plan on taking an Ice Axe/ Crampons until the final few winter months play out. You can follow the snowpack with this grid.

http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/current/PLOT_SWC

Most years the trail is mostly clear by that time except for a few snowbanks below trail Camp, at the cables, high on the switchbacks, and just below the summit. But I'll be there July 7-9 this year, and I look forward to finally getting the chance to use my crampons and ice ax on that big slope to trail crest! We'll see if it pans out.